What is your race number and why? [Archive]

RobGassit

4th April 2012, 23:04

I quite often find when I ask racers, that there is a tale behind why they chose their race number.Some of them are pretty cool and I thought it might be fun to share those back stories on here.
I'd love to start it myself with a witty tale, but I usually use a birthday. We did name our race team after turn 3 though, as all three founding members have been hospitalised at that turn on various tracks. Your turn..

gatch

5th April 2012, 00:10

499.

I ride a friends norton domi in the classics register. The man that rode it before I came on the scene (Tony Mcqueen) was number 500.

As he is a very quick man on two wheels, I vowed and declared that I would go one better than he did.

rustys

5th April 2012, 06:32

89
Thats the year my Race Bike was Manufactured.

crazy man

5th April 2012, 07:37

11 because easy to make with masking tape lol then the number got nicked of me so changed 11 to 21

quickbuck

5th April 2012, 10:01

42.
It was the number on my bucket that i got off a guy called Tarzan back in the early 90's.... Raced it for a year or so.
On my return to racing in 2010 I used it again.
After all it is the answer to everything in the universe.

On my 50 I use 13.
That was the number of entries we had for the first Mopedathon it entered, and I put myself last on the grid.
Unlucky for some, as I have come second in 5 Mopedathons in a row, until finally winning one in January.

lukemillar

5th April 2012, 10:35

Was #124 which was what MNZ gave me when I got my first licence. Also happens to be my wifes birthday! Then got fed up of the number size issue and trying to fit 3 characters across the fairing, so ditched the 1 and am now #24

scott411

5th April 2012, 11:39

i have run 411 since 2002, i had not raced the NZ MX champs the year before so had to go 3 digit, or very high 2 digit, i wanted a number i could run for a while, and since i chop and change bikes and classes alot it was easier to run a 3 digit,

its got a couple of meanings, 4th was where i was running when i crashed big in taupo in 97, and 11th was where i was running when i crashed big in taupiri in 2001, so it fits,

also 411 is the phone number for information in the states, and since everyone rings me for info on racing (or fb or txt now) it seemed to fit, and 018 looks stupid,

CHOPPA

5th April 2012, 11:40

I have always run my national ranking number. I think more people should, its good for the crowd.

Having career numbers is also probably good so people recognise you from year to year

Deano

5th April 2012, 11:51

I have always run my national ranking number. I think more people should, its good for the crowd.

Having career numbers is also probably good so people recognise you from year to year

i ran 180 initially cause that is what mnz allocated to me.

we were told no 3 digits at nationals so i ran 9, which was my placing last year after 1 round.

i will run 5 this year as thats where i placed after 3 rounds.

if i can finish a season hopefully will get it down to 1 lol

Ivan

5th April 2012, 12:28

59

My very first ever street address and were my obsession for bike racing began watching Aaron Slight at 5 years old wanting to grow up like him

and MX is 159

As 59 was taken so I took 159

SWERVE

5th April 2012, 13:48

My number was 301
It was in memory of a deceased friend who also ran 301.
This was back in the UK and we raced Saloon Stock cars as a team Mikey was 301 i was 401.
Originally we chose 330for Ants as we often shared my 675 and was easy to swap race numbers. When MNZ said no 3 digits we changed his to 33.
Last year it was #10 protwin - this year its #4
Agree with choppa top ten should run their respective placing # unless stepping up to another class which is where you run your own number.

scott411

5th April 2012, 14:17

Fast Eddie

5th April 2012, 14:33

55 - cause I cant seem to stick to 55mph. damn speeding tickets

Pumba

5th April 2012, 15:37

84 - As I was born in 1984. Nothing overly exciting in that story

wharfy

5th April 2012, 15:51

# 919
When I found out I could choose a number (instead of just being given one) I opted for this one because the Honda Hornet 900 I was racing (and riding to work and everywhere else) was marketed in the US as the Honda 919

Duke girl

5th April 2012, 17:29

#27......I picked that number for 2 reasons, 1 being the date l was born on and 2 because it is Casey Stoners number and he is my Hero. :)

Marknz

5th April 2012, 19:50

#67 for two reasons... born in 1967, and it allows me to use the stylised version of the Barry Sheene #7 in his memory

Matt Bleck

5th April 2012, 19:55

#71 cause i was born in 1971.

Kickaha

5th April 2012, 20:25

#83 it was on the first gearbox Kart I bought and raced so I just kept using it

Maido

5th April 2012, 20:35

i agree with that, and i think all single digits should be reserved for only the riders from the series last year

They are I thought?
I am with CHoppa, I run the number I earn (even though I am not happy with the one I have this year!).

DerekP

5th April 2012, 21:48

Back in the day when we were poor students 3 of us brought a CT125 bucket; the number on it was 13. The bike shit itself on its very first outing after sucking a seagull into the open 16mm carby. We then changed it to 42 (the answer to life...)
When I brought my own bucket (as opposed to sharing one) I used number 11 cos I was to tight to buy proper numbers and duct tape was cheap.
Later when I got a puka road race bike (well... one that wasn't a bucket anyway) I used my street address #37. I soon went away from this number as it was jinxed. I blow up more motors than I attended events...
I currently run #51... I figured ya need a 1 in it some where. And....well the 5 in front sorta looked ok.
This year tho I plan to run #8...cos that is where I finished after 3 rounds of Nat :woohoo:

Biggles08

6th April 2012, 11:00

They are I thought?
I am with CHoppa, I run the number I earn (even though I am not happy with the one I have this year!). At least you get to keep it this year! :facepalm:

roadracingoldfart

6th April 2012, 12:59

# 74 was always a number i had drag racing , then i used it on the bike as it was really easy to change it if ACU hitlers moaned in those days.
I stated using it in 1979 and finished with it in 2007. Hmmmmmm thats a while init !!

Skunk

17th April 2012, 16:35

I run 24 as it's a stuffed up answer to the meaning of "Life, the Universe and Everything". Pretty much like my riders skills.

c4.

17th April 2012, 18:15

181
Coz 69 was taken, I decided to go metric:innocent:

Gixxer peter

17th April 2012, 18:24

Used to have number 88 om my bukcet as it didnt mater whether it was upside down or lieing on its side it alway said 88.

driftn

17th April 2012, 19:56

67 because 61 was taken, Not entirely sure why just like the number's. Had a go at racing MX with a number the club gave me for the event, did absolute shite, I put it down to not having my number.

Bert

17th April 2012, 20:48

#78
year I was born; year of my first RM80 (old piece of shit) & year of my first Car (shitty escort).
and by luck I could even get that number from MNZ when I started again:woohoo:

worm13

17th April 2012, 20:56

#13
I use to be 96 but when I came back to racing I wanted a number that was at the top of the programme and 11,12 had already been taken so 13 it was.... and luck has nothing to do with it:)

crazy man

19th April 2012, 20:02

#13
I use to be 96 but when I came back to racing l wanted to crash so l got 13 and you know the restholy cow you are the crazy man

richban

20th April 2012, 18:15

45

Its the street address of my little house and looks good.

Danger Dave

20th April 2012, 22:26

#69

no real reason other than its a popular number

Brian d marge

21st April 2012, 02:28

477 my old dispatch rider number in England

Stephen

quallman1234

21st April 2012, 15:18

#13 because it was what was on the bike i was riding and had no choice.
#30 because my dads companies 30 year anniversary!

Changing to #7 because thats my nationals number... Time to crank some barry sheene replica glasses and numbers..

Rick 52

23rd April 2012, 21:55

52 because James Toseland did so well in his 1st GP year as I started Buckets .
Just won the NI points series so should I run 1NI ? Just feel like a bit of a cock if I do ..

koba

23rd April 2012, 22:28

Just feel like a bit of a cock

Sorry, what?!

dangerous

24th April 2012, 06:04

84 - As I was born in 1984. Nothing overly exciting in that story
sixty eight

Rick 52

24th April 2012, 21:05

Sorry, what?!

Hhaha ..You wish you big gay !! How is the 2Hr training going?

speights_bud

24th April 2012, 21:39

#22,

Seems like nice and balanced to me. I've always liked it and wasn't cocky enough to use a single Digit as i hadn't earned it... Started running 22 from day 1 in buckets and i used to say i liked the Number '2' but i don't do second... Turns out i do 2nd and also other bigger numbers alot haha. My birthday is 21 but its not balanced enough for me, don't feel right. Also 22 is my big Sisters Birthday so naturally she thinks i stole it from her.

Nova.

24th April 2012, 22:29

151... came with the bike.

gammaguy

24th April 2012, 23:57